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Friday Giveaway: Smashbox Photo Finish

This is my absolute, absolute favorite foundation primer. It’s got this slick silicone-y texture that leaves your face feeling as silky as the models look in Sephora ads. Apply it to your whole face to soften the look of pores and fine lines, and as Smashbox says, to “create a perfect canvas for foundation.” Once you add your foundation, you’ll see a smoother finish and longer-lasting results from your makeup. It’s oil-free, $36, and a winner of beauty awards from Sephora, InStyle, and Marie Claire. (Just in case you don’t believe me.)

*Don’t forget: if there’s something you want to see in your Friday Giveaways, send me suggestions. You can send me an email at raya.ramsey@dmagazine.com or make a comment here

*Update: Forgot to list a link to the form. Fill out the form to enter the contest.

*Congratulations to our three winners!

Steph’s Stash Giveaway: Amanda Sterett Sophia Earrings

We know how you love the Friday Giveaway’s we do on Shoptalk each week, but did you know that you can also enter to win something from “Steph’s Stash” every month? That’s right, I personally select something to giveaway from my “stash” of fashion and beauty goodies that I receive from local designers, international cosmetic companies, and more. You don’t want to miss out on this month’s giveaway: a beautiful pair of multi-gemstone (peridot, pearl, apatite, garnet, amethyst, and aventurine) and gold earrings (pictured at left – note: they are larger than they appear) from one of our favorite local designers, Amanda Sterett. Sterett has made quite the name for herself since launching her jewelry line in 2004. In addition to selling to Kate Spade and Anthropologie, she was recently featured in InStyle magazine. Check out her latest collection and some one-of-a-kind pieces at The Shak today and tomorrow from 9 A.M. – 6 P.M. Don’t forget to use your Partner’s Card and get 20% off! Oh, and go here to enter now…good luck!

UPDATE: There will be another trunk show (Amanda will be there to help customers) at A. Hooper & Co. in Ft. Worth Thursday, Nov. 13th and Friday, Nov. 14th from 11 A.M. – 4 P.M.

Faceoff of the Vibrating Mascaras + Friday Giveaway

This is a long overdue discussion here on ShopTalk: vibrating mascaras. There’s Lancôme’s Oscillation (right), Estée Lauder’s TurboLash (left), Prescriptives MotorEyes, Maybelline’s Pulse Perfection (center), and even a rotating contraption called Spin Lash. Are they gimmicks? Catchy tools employed by marketing departments at cosmetic headquarters everywhere? Follow the jump to get my humble opinion. (And find out what we’re giving away.)

*Update: Congratulations to our six winners!

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Friday Giveaway: His and Her Burberry 2009 Special Editions Perfumes

For her, eau de parfum, for him, eau de toilette, but they’re both housed in beautiful Burberry limited edition bottles with glossy fabrics in metallic with a hint of pink and charcoal. (So they’ll look good next to each other on the dresser.) The scents are a “glamorous and festive variation of the classic London line.” Both contain similar notes to the original scents. For women, you’ll find notes of pink pepper, two different roses, cyclamen, and lily of the valley, with a woody, musky feel. For men, you’ll notice lemon, green pineapple, blackcurrant buds, plum, lavender, and woody notes. His-and-her fashion statements are usually pretty lame—think matching tracksuits—unless it’s his and her houses (like Diane von Furstenberg, which is brilliant), but with scents, it’s sexy, right? These two hit shelves this month and cost $84 for her and $70 for him. Fill out the form and good luck.

*Update: Congrats Matt!

Friday Giveaway: NaluWaver

This is the greatest hair tool I’ve ever used in my life. Ever. I love it so much that I got in touch with the media relations person the day after I first used to see if I could get one to give away to one of you. The good news is she said yes. So I present this to you, ShopTalkers: The Nalu Waver, which as you can probably guess is for making waves. (The good kind—in your hair.) Nalu, is Hawaiian for wave, by the way, which is guess means the name is a bit redundant: wave waver. I digress. This iron looks like a double-barreled curling iron, but without a clamp. It heats up instantly and lets you choose the temperature, but it makes it easy for you by giving you hair texture options: thin, normal, thick, and coarse. To use, basically, you put a glove on the hand handling the hair (rather than the one holding the tool) and you wrap figure-eights with your hair around the barrels. Sounds complicated, but practice for five minutes, and it’s a piece of cake. I must also tell you this: I am hair-challenged. Big time. Like, I can barely use a flat iron correctly. Seriously. But I spent 20 minutes with this bad boy, and I had an amazing head full of serious waves that lasted through the morning, through the day, through the evening, through drinks at the bar, and remnants were left over the following morning. So, trust me, you want one. Fill out the form here to enter, and good luck! NaluWaver, $179.99 by R Session Tools. We’re giving away one. Picture by Sean Cunningham, borrowed from Harper’s Bazzar. NaluWaver pictured after the jump.

Update: Congratulations Amanda!

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Friday Giveaway: Halloween Treats by Philosophy and MAC

Get in the spirit. The ghostly kind. The best holiday of the year is here, and we’re honoring it with a festive giveaway of spooky-inspired beauty supplies. We’ll start you off at bath time with Philosophy’s Haunted House set. You’ll get three 3-in-1 multitasking shampoo/shower gel/bubble bath bottles in three scents: black licorice, caramel apple, and pumpkin spice muffin. (So, shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath in one, but you’ll get the product in three difference flavors. Make sense?) They’re rich and foamy, and the fun scents are a vacation from the usual. Don’t forget not to eat it. Then get prepared for your chilling night out with Cinderfella eye shadow (get it wet for a to-die-for smoky eye), Greasepaint stick in black (with a hint of gorgeous purple glitter), Glimmerglass in Blackfire (a sheer black gloss with violet glitter—as beautiful on as in the tube), a creamy black Glimmerglass gloss in Blackware, and Midnight Media (an almost matte Mattene Lipstick in jet black), all part of MAC’s limited edition Style Black collection. So, three bath products and five MAC products. All treats here, no tricks. Fill out the form to enter. Good luck. To purchase your own, go here for Philosophy and here for MAC.

*Update: Congratulations Kileen!

Friday Giveaway: Renée Rouleau Mint Buffing Beads

In honor of the grand opening of the Dallas Center for Performing Arts, Renée has given us a bunch of her Mint Buffing Beads to give away to you. You know how we feel about Renée Rouleau’s products by now, but I can tell you that this exfoliator, specifically, is great. The formula has a fine, grainy feel, but the beads are spherical to prevent tiny nicks in the skin’s surface. It also includes Vitamin K for capillary repair, and peppermint oil to reinvigorate the skin. I love using it twice a week after removing makeup and washing my face and following with my regular serum/moisturizer routine. Through Oct. 18, Renee is offering a special facial to commemorate the Grand Opening, too. (For details, see after the jump.) You know the drill: the fill out the form, good luck, all that jazz. There will be 14 winners.

*Update: Congratulations to our 14 winners!

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Friday Giveaway: Danielle Teylor Cowhide Clutch

This one-of-a-kind dyed cowhide clutch was made just for you, ShopTalkers. As Stephanie blogged earlier this week, Danielle Davidson is former painter now couture handbag designer. And now she’s hooking you up with this clutch. The designer handmakes each pretty bag and is willing to incorporate your own pieces (like Grandma’s antique brooch) into a creation for you. They’re available for purchase at Betty Reiter or www.danielleteylor.com. This clutch is lined with suede and signed by Miss Danielle Davidson herself. (And valued at $495.) You know the drill: fill out the form and good luck!

*Update: Congratulations Kim!

Ducky-Bob’s Supports Breast Cancer Awareness and Gives You a Chance to Win a Night at The Mansion

Jump for details.

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Danielle Teylor Trunk Show at Betty Reiter Today

Painter turned couture handbag designer, Danielle Davidson had an affinity for clutches but couldn’t find one that was versatile, creative, and travel-friendly at the same time. So, she designed her own. The result – a leopard-print hide clutch adorned with her grandmother’s brooch – got so many compliments that she decided to launch Danielle Teylor handbags in 2008 and has been handcrafting them ever since. The  handmade (in Davidson’s living room) collection of clutches will be available at a trunk show today from 11AM-5PM at Betty Reiter in The Plaza at Preston Center. Each bag features different patterns (solid, leopard, zebra, etc), skins (cowhide and embossed leathers), linings (all suede), and hardware (brooches, antique buckles, etc). The Dallas-based designer will even custom-make one if you like and can incorporate family heirlooms or special pieces into the design. They are truly one-of-a-kind! Check back here on Friday for an amazing giveaway that the designer made especially for  you, ShopTalkers!

Friday Giveaway: Abi Ferrin Cambodia Clutch

Dallas Designer, Abi Ferrin gave V.I.P. guests who attended her spring 2010 show at the Metropolitan Pavillion in New  York a goodie bag. In that goodie bag was a Cambodia Clutch, which retails for $80. I brought one home (courtesy of my friend & former Dallasite, David Ninh – so you can thank him!) to give away on ShopTalk! Feel good while looking good when you carry this silver and grey pleated silk clutch that was handmade by women rescued from the sex trade in Cambodia with the help of an organization called Sak Saum. To view Abi’s collection, which was inspired by a trip to a Costa Rica Rainforest, go here. To fill out the form to win this exclusive clutch, go here. Good luck!

Friday Giveaway: Alterna Ten Shampoo and Conditioner

This stuff is liquid hair gold in a bottle. The Manolo Blahniks of the hair world, if you will. Used by beautiful-haired celebs like Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Victoria Beckham, and Isla Fisher, this anti-aging shampoo/conditioner set’s a good fit for all hair types, including coarse, colored, fine, or oily. According to Alterna, the magic is in the ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Caviar Age-Control Complex (It doesn’t get any more glamorous than caviar, does it?), White Truffle Oil, Champagne Grape Seel Oil (And champagne!), and other rare, exotic-sounding ingredients. In these tough times does anyone feel like throwing down $60 for one bottle of shampoo? Me neither. But you don’t have to. You might win it here if you fill out the form. If you don’t win and you want your own, go to www.alternahaircare.com to find a salon near you. Good luck!

*Congratulations Becca!

Friday Giveaway: Matcha Tea Body Lotion from Origins

This delicious-smelling moisturizer is part of Dr. Weil’s The Way of the Bath line for Origins. As, I’m sure, you already know, everything from Origins smells and feels amazing. (Talking to you, Ginger Souffle and A Perfect World serum!) This body lotion is no exception. Matcha, as Dr. Andrew Weil describes, is a green tea drink that promotes an “energetic awareness and sense of well-being.” The tea is used in Japanese Tea Ceremonies known as the Way of the Tea, which focuses on four principals: harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. If this stuff doesn’t help you meditate, though, that’s okay, because it’s full of antioxidants, rice butter, murumuru butter (whatever that is), ginseng, and jojoba seed, almond, and essential oils, so it’ll for sure help you hydrate. Plus, it comes in a lovely green bottle and smells so fresh and clean. We’re giving away three. Fill out the form here and good luck.

*Update: Congratulations Heather, Becky, and Anthea!

Friday Giveaway: Kate Somerville Glow Kit

It’s nearing the end of summer, but a fresh face glow is never out of season. Congrats ahead of time to the winner of this giveaway, because this one’s a good one: Kate Somerville’s Glow Kit. Kate Somerville, esthetician to the likes of Paris Hilton, Kate Walsh, Felicity Huffman, and Jessica Alba, knows what she’s talking about, and she didn’t mind a bit sharing all the top secrets with me to pass along to you. Follow me after the jump to learn how to enter this giveaway and read up on the products. (You’ll want to, to understand the true power behind the Glow Kit.)

*Update: We’re giving away two sets! You’ve got until noon today, Monday, Aug. 31.

Congratulations Fern and Kathy!

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Friday Giveaway: Tickets to Dressed: A Century of Hollywood Costume Design at the DMA

Sorry for the delay, ShopTalkers, but the wait is worth it. This week we’re giving away several pairs of tickets to Dressed: A Century of Hollywood Costume Design. This special event takes place Thursday, August 27, at 7 p.m. at the Dallas Museum of Art and features Academy Award-nominated costume designer and author Deborah Nadoolman Landis. Using examples from her book of the same name, Landis—who has designed for such hits as Animal House, Coming to America, The Blues Brothers, and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video—will share “the inside scoop about Hollywood’s most tantalizing costumes and the characters they helped bring to life.” If you’re interested, click on my name and send me an e-mail.

Friday Giveaway: Misa “I’m Only Human” Fall Nail Polish Collection

Polish lovers, get excited! We’re giving away Misa’s fall I’m Only Human collection. It’s a beauty. (For swatches, click here.) Fill out this form to enter and good luck!

*Update: Congratulations Darrah!

Win Fabulous Prizes From Ebby Halliday Realtors

We’re talking about the Presidential Package from the Boardroom Salon, a membership to Crescent Club and Spa, and much more. Find out how to register on FrontBurner.

Friday Giveaway: Fresh Beauty Supply

We’re fans of Fresh around here. If you’re not yet, pick up a Fresh product and I guarantee you will be. Prepare yourself for this Fresh arsenal we’re giving away. Crème Ancienne ($250 hand-made-in-a-monastery moisturizer), Rose Face Mask, Soy Face Cleanser, Sugar perfume, and Twilight Freshface Glow. It’s a great fivesome of Fresh goodness–a $454 value if you’re curious. Click here (or plug https://dmagazine.wufoo.com/forms/shoptalk-giveaway-form/ into your browser) to fill out the form and enter the giveaway. Good luck!

*Update: Congratulations Alisha!

Friday Giveaway: Summer Goodies: Shaving Cream, Sunless Tanner, and Bronzer Trio

All you need to get in the summer beauty swing is right here: Kiehl’s Close Shaverettes Simply Mahvelous Legs Shaving Cream, Bliss A Tan For All Seasons tanning mist, and Too Faced The Bronzed And The Beautiful bronzer palette. Smooth legs, healthy glow, and a sun-kissed face? Sounds like the perfect trio to me. We’ve got a new way to enter our D Beauty Booty giveaways, so this time click here (or plug in https://dmagazine.wufoo.com/forms/shoptalk-giveaway-form/) fill in the form and submit. Good luck!

Ps. If you have any questions about the form, please don’t hesitate to email me by clicking on my name in blue.

*Update: Congratulations Elizabeth!

Friday Giveaway: Green Beauty Gear

For the summer issue of D Beauty we featured a handful of planet-friendly beauty products. Check it out here. Today we’re giving away a handful of the latest green beauty gear. (Three of the products were actually featured in our magazine!) Send me an email to win the following: Origins Organics Hydrating Body Lotion and Purifying Tonic, Organique LipCare chapstick, Revitalizing Hand & Body Lotion, and Exfoliating Walnut & Wood Apple Face Scrub, two Sally Hansen La Cross Eco nail files, Josie Maran Bear Naked Wipes, Cargo Plant Love lipstick in an adorable pink called Grace, One With Nature soaps in Vanilla Oatmeal and Orange Blossom, e.l.f. Fur Free tweezers, TIGI Love, Peace & the Planet hairspray, Lisa Hoffman Spa Shower kit, PeaceKeeper lip gloss in Kindess, Spa Ritual nail lacquers in fuschia, Provocateur, and coral, Last Tango, and REN Moroccan Rose Otto Sugar Body Polish. All these goodies are great beauty products that also contribute to preserving the planet and its creatures. What more could you ask for? Click my name and send me an email to enter. Good luck!

*Update: Congratulations Elizabeth!

Polish Pick: Peacekeeper “Paint Me Forgiving”

It makes me happy to have an eco polish (meaning non-toxic and made with natural ingredients) in the lineup of favs now. Introducing: Paint Me Forgiving by PeaceKeeper. Available at Whole Foods, this polish line comes in nine colors, most of which are vegan and made with Moroccan argan oil to nourish the nails. This color is a favorite because, again, it is a beautiful neutral for every day. It has a pink hue with a subtle silver sheen. I’VE GOT ONE Paint Me Forgiving polish TO GIVE AWAY. Send me an email–by clicking my name in blue–telling me why you need it, and I’ll choose a winner today and get it off in the mail to you tomorrow. Ready, go. (Image at left courtesy of All Lacquered Up.)

Thursday Giveaway: 3 Sets of OPI’s Bright Pair Collection

Yep. You heard me. Three sets! OPI teamed up with designer line Paige Premium Denim to create a set of funky polishes to add to OPI’s Brights Collection for this summer. Beware: these polishes are not for the reserved. Matching the denim line’s colorful shorts and crops are Over The Taupe, a summery version of You Don’t Know Jacques—a personal favorite of mine, On The Same Paige, a fiery orange-red, In My Back Pocket, a melon orange color that looks like sherbet, A Grape Fit!, a hearty almost-Easter purple, No Room For The Blues, a vivid sky blue, and Shorts Story, a Barbie pink. Click on my name in blue to send me an email for your chance to win.

*Update: Now giving away FOUR sets.

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED AND THE WINNERS CHOSEN. BUT STAY TUNED FOR THIS FRIDAY’S GIVEAWAY.

Flip-flop Heaven at Union Jack

Gentlemen, be warned: I’m not a big fan of sandals, especially flip flops, on you. On South Beach, they look great. Some South Pacific isle, even better. But Dallas? Not so much. If you must wear them then 1) they should be well-designed and stylish, and 2) get a pedicure, please. That said, Oak Lawn mainstay Union Jack is offering 20 percent off all sandals: Kenneth Cole, GBX, Micros, NYGB, and more. Even better, they’re offering a Buli Cafe Bucks special. This week, buy any regular priced pair of denim jeans or pants and get a $5 Buli gift card good towards panninis, salads, coffee drinks, or anything your hungry heart desires.

Friday Giveaway: Tom Davies Eyewear

I hinted at this earlier in the week, but now the tease is over. The winner of today’s Friday Giveaway will receive a complimentary custom, handmade pair of Tom Davies Tailored spectacles or sunglasses and a personal fitting with Tom himself during his in-store visit at Occhiali Modern Optics on Thursday, June 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. If you want prescription lenses, you will be responsible for those, but the frames are totally free—and totally rad. And you must be able to attend the fitting next Thursday. Personally, I’d opt for the sunglasses. Everybody looks cooler in a cool pair of shades. To read more about Tom Davies and his quest to make the perfect eyewear, check out his recent ShopTalk interview. To enter, click on my name and send me an e-mail.

Free Stuff on Beauty.com

For today only, go to Beauty.com and get some free stuff at the checkout. Get a Korres Summer Cocktails Shower gel Trio with any $20 purchase by entering “COCKTAIL” at the checkout, Red Flower Spanish Gardenia set with any Bath+Body purchase by entering “GARDENIA,” or bliss Steep Clean Mask for $43 instead of $54 by entering “STEEPCLEAN”. There are more, too. To check ‘em out, click here.